What was the saying? Like mother like daughter? In Ares's case, it's like father like son.

It all started a few months ago when Ares heard a prayer being spoken out for him, whispering in his ears.

Blessed be the god of war, for you who fathered both dread and fear. Who defends the weak and aids the strong. Let this prayer be heard by thee and ignite a flame of rage. And let this sword be blessed to claim victory in this endless war.

The sweet little prayer and the scent of crisp apples and iron filled the air around him whenever the prayer was recited below in Greece. It was almost comforting, as much as he hated to admit such a frivolous thing. So, for the past few weeks, the god of war kept his eye on the mere mortal through the reflection of his blood-crusted spearhead.

And this mortal was different from his lovers or little affairs. You seemed so docile, like a doe in the vast forest of predators. But you were agile and quick, running through the deep woods of the mountains that surrounded the floor of Mount Olympus. Training endlessly from sunrise to sundown and when you would take down a beast of the forest, you always sacrificed the best part of the animal for him.

It amused Ares. Slowly but very thoroughly, something started to stir inside Ares. It was small at first. He would check you through the spearhead. Then it started with sending you blessings such as a boost of rage and boldness. Next were the small gifts he left beside your straw mat bed like newly polished weapons and a helm that you dreamt of owning.

Finally, after tormenting himself for some time, Ares descended downward from the mighty realm of the gods to the mere plane of mortality. He disguised himself as a mere mortal man, a hunter, and soldier. He can't let the gods or even you know who he is. He could never let it down. It took some time before Ares could ever be welcomed to your isolated world.

"Tell me, why do you always sacrifice to Ares?" He asked you one day. "I don't see you doing the same for the others."